On this show , we explore language . Where do expressions come from ? And how do we use them ? Today we go down on the farm – the dairy farm , to be exact . Many female animals , such as cows and goats , produce milk for their young . Cream is the fat in milk . And we use cream from farm animals to make many tasty foods . We also use cream in some really great expressions ! Let's start with the best of the best – the cream of the crop ! When you let milk sit , cream rises to the top . The cream is considered to be the best tasting part of milk . So , if something is the “cream of the crop ,” it the best of its kind . For example , the apples from a farm near my house are the best , I could say they are the cream of the crop . But English speakers use this expression for just about anything , not just food or drink . We can describe people this way . For example , the students listed at the top of their class are generally the cream of the crop . The noun “cream ” has been used to mean "the best " since the 16th century . And it came into use in English by the year 1800 . You can often hear Americans say this even if they have never spoken French in their lives . For some reason , they drop the first article “la ”. Now , back to foods ! Cream is used in many foods . Naturally , you needs cream to make a cream puff ! A cream puff is a light and delicate pastry filled with sweet cream . They are a popular treat and can be very delicious . Outside of the bakery , however , cream puffs can also describe a person . If you call a man a “cream puff ,” you are saying he is weak – both physically and mentally . And he is really not that good at anything . Now , a cream puff you get from the bakery is delicate and can fall about easily . So , when talking about a woman , a cream puff is a delicate female . However , I would not suggest calling a woman a “cream puff .” It's best to leave the cream puffs in the bakery . Talking about baked good , many are made with butter . And butter comes from cream ! You start with a bowl filled with fresh cream . If you beat the cream again and again , you will get butter . Many dessert recipes call for mixing , or creaming , butter with other ingredients like sugar . Creaming butter is an important part of making some foods . It can take some time and arm strength to cream butter , especially if it is cold . You must beat and beat the butter until it becomes soft . So , it is not surprising that when you get creamed in real life , you get beaten badly . You can get creamed in a sporting event . If your basketball team loses by 30 points -- you guys got creamed . Usually there is an opponent who creams you . So , if you do poorly on a test , you would not say you got creamed . That would mean you were competing against other students and they won . We also use the term “creamed ” when talking about a physical beating . So , if someone beats you up -- which we hope will never happen -- you could say that person creamed you . (That is terrible and we are so sorry .) But maybe the person who creamed you is a good friend . They apologized , and now , everything seems better . You could say that everything between you is now peaches and cream . This means a situation that started off badly or was going badly is now very much improved . Here is another example . And this one does not involve anyone getting "beat up ." Let's say a new business got off to a bad start . The office space was in poor shape . The product launch failed . And several investors pulled out . But now , a year later , the company is turning a profit , the offices are beautiful and all the investors are happy . Everything is peaches and cream ! Peaches and cream is also used to describe a woman's skin . This means her skin is creamy , clear and soft . Which is strange , when you think about it . Peaches are usually yellowish-orange and a little fuzzy . That would mean someone with a peaches-and-cream skin would look a little orange and a little hairy . But it doesn't mean that . As we often say , English is funny that way ! And you can be the cream of the crop ; It's not where you start , it's where you finish , And you're gonna finish on top !